Scooters/Electrics

Yamaha is recalling certain model year 2009 YW125 (Zuma 125) scooters manufactured between July 2008 and April 2009 due to possible improper clearances in the internal fuel pump components. These improper clearances may cause an inadequate supply of fuel. The limited fuel supply could cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump with a newly designed fuel pump. The recall is expected to begin February 19, 2013. Owners contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The investigation was launched when owners began reporting to NHTSA stalling while underway in hot weather. The fuel pump is consistently identified as the root cause. The pump is frequently on back order and the part number has been changed.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today,Sprint Nextel [NYSE:S] and Vespa USA announced a new customer contest to drive greater participation in Sprint’s Buybackprogram by offering customers a chance to win a new fuel-efficient Vespa LX 50 motor scooter. Between June 26 and August 20, wireless users who return their old or unused cell phones to Sprint can receive up to $250 instant credit toward the purchase of a new wireless device and will be able to enter to win one of six Vespa scooters athttp://sprint.com/govespa.

Winners of the Vespa scooters also will receive the new Samsung Replenish™, the fourth eco-friendly device from Sprint, one of its latest Android devices. All devices returned through the Buyback program either will be recycled or re-purposed to continue Sprint’s momentum toward its zero waste policy and 2017 goal to recycle nine mobile devices for every 10 sold.

With its recently announced Electronics Stewardship Policy, a key component of the company’s efforts to reduce improperly disposed e-waste, Sprint is providing customers responsible end-of-life solutions for their mobile devices. Since 2001, Sprint has collected more than 24 million phones for reuse and recycling. Currently, only 10 percent of phones in this country are recycled, leaving more than 140 million mobile phones in landfills each year.

“We are excited to join with Vespa to make this special offer available to new and existing Sprint customers,” said Matt Gunter, Sprint vice president of consumer marketing. “Our aim is to address the entire lifecycle of the mobile devices we buy and sell – it’s a win-win for our customers, for Sprint and for the environment. While we continue to educate customers on responsible ways to manage e-waste, this relationship with Vespa will draw greater attention and enthusiasm to our efforts. We hope to drive greater participation in our Buyback program and to encourage new customers to join us in this initiative.”

As part of Sprint’s loyalty program, Premier customers were able to participate in the sweepstakes in advance of the national promotion that started in April. The Premier customer sweepstakes offered 10 lucky winners a Vespa LX 50 and received a significant response, with more than 300,000 entries submitted. The Premier customer contest ended June 10.

While most participation in the Buyback program will occur in Sprint stores across the nation, customers will also have a chance to trade in their phones as part of the Sprint/Vespa “Green on the Go” Tour. The tour will start on July 2 in San Francisco and travel through Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Boston before ending in New York on Aug. 13. The events, with more information on location and times at www.VespaUSA.com are as follows:

– San Francisco:

July 2, 3

– Los Angeles:

July 9, 10

– Seattle:

July 16, 17

– Chicago:

July 23, 24

– Boston:

July 30, 31

– New York:

Aug. 6 and 13

At the events, customers can:

Trade in their phones to be recycled to see whether they can earn an instant credit toward the purchase of a new device or donate their phone through Project Connect.

Learn more about the benefits of using a Vespa as an alternative mode of transportation – as part of Vespa’s Vespanomics program.

Enter for a chance to win a Vespa LX 50 scooter, Samsung Replenish and three months of Sprint wireless service at each of the six city stops.

“The decision to partner with Sprint was an easy one as we have the same goal: find ways to conserve resources for the betterment of our planet,” said Melissa R. MacCaull, vice president, Piaggio Group Americas. “Sprint’s popular phone recycling program and the use of Vespas as a viable form of alternative transportation to reduce oil and gas consumption, pollution and traffic congestion are two solutions Sprint and Vespa are putting forth and that Americans are embracing.”

Vespa USA, through its Vespanomics program, promotes the use of fuel-efficient motor scooters as an alternative form of transportation that can greatly reduce gasoline consumption and put more money back into the pockets of Americans. Vespa estimates that in the year 2020, if a fraction of licensed U.S. drivers converted a small percentage of their miles to a Vespa, gasoline consumption would be reduced by 3.9 billion gallons per year, resulting in a savings to Americans of more than $21 billion.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry. Sweepstakes begins at 12:00a.m. EST on June 26, 2011 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. EST August 20, 2011. For complete Official Rules, including entry instructions and prize details, visit Sprint.com/govespa. Sponsor: Sprint Communications Company L.P.

“Green On The Go” Tour Sweepstakes

ABBREVIATED RULES

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal U.S. residents who are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in jurisdiction of residence (whichever is older) at time of entry. Sweepstakes is offered only in San Francisco, California, Los Angeles, California, Seattle, Washington, Chicago, Illinois, Boston, Massachusetts and New York, New York. Sweepstakes begins at the dates and times as specified for each live event in the Official Rules. For Official Rules, including entry instructions and prize details, visit the Green on the Go booth at the live event. Sponsor: Sprint Communications Company L.P.

What color Vespa do you dream of? Electric blue? Candy cane? University colors? How about one to match your car?

Make that dream a reality this summer with Vespa USA! For a limited time only, Vespa USA is offering consumers the opportunity to customize a Vespa LX 150. Customers are invited to visit participating dealerships to purchase a custom-painted Vespa with prices starting at $4,300 (for one solid color), excluding destination and vehicle preparation charges. Design work and lettering can be added for an additional charge. Go ahead and dream big – your Vespa will be the only one like it in the world!

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., (April 20, 2011) – Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in electric motorcycle technology announced its plans to return to competition at the 2011 AMA MiniMoto SX on May 6 in Las Vegas at the South Point Hotel and Casino which now serves as the battleground for the world’s biggest mini bike event. Developed as a collaboration to showcase the latest in electric motorcycle technology, Zero Motorcycles will be taking on some of the most sophisticated and high powered 150cc racing dirt bikes available today in a heads-up battle that is certain to keep motocross fans on the edge of their seats.

Zero Motorcycles test rider and engineering technician, Trevor Doniak, will be joined by Chris Green, an avid motocross competitor, who also serves as the Associate Editor for Dirt Rider magazine and WORCS/Endurocross upstart, Jamie Lanza. All riders are expected to compete on modified 2011 Zero MX motorcycles. This year’s battle will take place on a larger track than previous events due to the South Point Hotel and Casino’s expansive arena, which allows for higher speeds and intense bar-to-bar action.

“Electric motorcycle racing is evolving rapidly and is the ideal venue for refining Zero Motorcycles’ advanced motorcycle technology. This type of race also helps showcase what electric motorcycles are capable of by facing off against gasoline competitors,” said Scot Harden, Vice President of Global Marketing for Zero Motorcycles. “Our 2011 Zero MX is incredibly tough and lightweight plus it features a newly developed suspension system to tackle the jumps and whoops of a larger and more technical Mini Moto SX track. This is going to be a great event and we’re proud to be involved again this year.”

Zero Motorcycles is no stranger to competition. Prior to their historic win at the inaugural TTXGP in 2010, Zero Motorcycles competed against over two hundred and fifty gas motorcycles and four other electric motorcycles during the Electric Off-Road Challenge in Gironville, France. After beating the other electric competitors on a Zero MX, Thomas Aubry went on to take first place in the last race of his series, placing him third overall in his class.In 2009, Zero Motorcycles also held the 24 Hours of Electricross, which became the world’s first all-electric 24-hour off-road race. Zero Motorcycles uses racing to prove and refine its advanced motorcycle technology for integration into its production electric motorcycle line.

A small Quebec based company is rolling out a new all electric motorcycle that has more bells and whistles than a swiss army knife. The custom design comes from a mix of cafe racers, street racers and the bobber motorcycles. The carbon fiber shell makes for a ride that is sure to turn heads. This one of a kind bike is already turning heads on the internet and it hasn’t even hit showrooms yet. You actually have to wait til June to see it, then shipping is said to start in October.

It uses a 12 Kilowatt an hour lithium polymer battery that will take you up to 185 miles. With 59 pounds per foot of torque, it can take you to 60 mph in 4 seconds. A continuous variable transmission can take you up to 120 mph and “high-quality front fork and rear suspension and top-of-the-line braking, designed to let you stop faster than on almost any other superbike.”

The most impressive features that we want to check out is the first ever electric seat. For the first time you will be able to change your position on the bike, you can put the seat low position when cruising the highway and then shift into a higher position to fight traffic in the city. Another feature is the touchscreen and GPS system lets you connect with your bike like never before. An e-mail system that lets you know when the bike is fully charged and a on board charging station for electronics is standard.

I can’t forget about the Safe Range System and Regenerating brake system that makes sure you get to your destination. The Safe Range System lets you set your destination and will manage the amount of energy needed to get you there, and the brake system actually recharges the battery when braking so you get more out of a single charge.

This video contains actual voice mail messages left by the brother of a former Marietta Motorcycle officer. Evidently Beaumont and his brother had a discussion about what type of motorcycle would be best for Beaumont to learn to ride on. When the Bergman wasn’t available, Beaumont buys something…he isn’t sure what. These 5 messages were hilarious.

Spartanburg, S.C. (November 10, 2010) – KYMCO USA is pleased to announce their sponsorship of the First Annual Scooter Land Speed Trials. This unique event will take place on Historic Route 66, Devore, CA on November 21, 2010.

The Motor-Scooter International Land Speed Federation (MSILSF) is the newly created and self-appointed sanctioning organization of motor-scooter land-speed records. The need for this organization came about due to motor-scooter riders’ desire to participate in the AMA/BUB land speed trials at Bonneville. When their proposed changes to allow scooters and create a separate scooter class were rejected, the Motor-Scooter International Land-Speed Federation (MSILSF) was formed. While there may be some changes in the AMA/BUB rules for 2011, the MSILSF decided to host a scooter only event this year.

KYMCO USA, with its reputation for quality scooters, was an obvious choice for a sponsor. This alliance goes nicely with their involvement in the recent Scooter Cannonball Run. The MSILSF will have several different classes and KYMCO has scooters that could participate in nearly all of them.

In fact, four riders have already registered to ride in four different classes on KYMCO scooters. Daniel Smith of San Diego, CA will be riding a KYMCO Super 9 50cc in the 50cc class. Also from San Diego, Alan Spears will cover the 70cc class on a KYMCO S9 Malossi 70cc. Michael Tockey, a KYMCO Dealer in Indianapolis, IN will be riding a KYMCO Super 8 in the 150cc class. And in the 250cc class, Richard Newman from Oceanside, CA is entering on a KYMCO Grandvista 250cc.

“We are excited to be part of this historic race and to be a sponsor for the first ever Motor Scooter World Land Speed Record being set. KYMCO USA is moving to the forefront of the scooter world, so it only makes sense for us to be involved,” explained Rick Pawelka, Director of Marketing at KYMCO USA.

The race will be run one scooter at a time over a measured half mile course marked by cones and trophies will be awarded to persons attaining the highest top speed in each class. The records will stand until broken at the next annual event.

Vespa has decided that Labor Day is not the end of summer and they are proving it by turning up the heat on their Hot Summer offers.

Now through October 31, 2010, the Hot Vespa Summer campaign makes it easier for customers to avoid the end of summer blues by offering up the following special offers at participating dealers:

$1200 off the stated MSRP of the GTV 250 new and unused 2008, 2009 and 2010 models;

$1000 off the GTS 250 for new and unused 2008 and 2009 models;

$500 off the S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 for new and unused 2008 and 2009 carbureted models;

$400 off the LX 50 for new and unused 2008, 2009 and 2010 two-valve engine models from participating dealerships.

And while Vespa is on your mind, don’t forget to order your official limited edition Hot Vespa Summer t-shirts. Available in two different designs, Hot Vespa Summer t-shirts are priced at $10 and are available for purchase online.

Extend your summer fun by purchasing a Vespa!

For more information on the Hot Vespa Summer offers or to locate a Vespa dealer, visit www.VespaUSA.com.